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Gantry Robot System for Smaller, Lighter Components



The LP 100 gantry robot can be built with a wider clearance between uprights

Standard gripper

Gripper with additional axes

The new LP 100 gantry system from Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH is suitable for handling smaller and lighter components. Its flexible design makes it dovetail well with inline production concepts where workpieces have to cover larger distances.

"Downsizing is a growing trend in the automotive sector," said a company spokesperson. "Engines are becoming more efficient and therefore smaller and lighter. Production facilities are also adapting to these changes. Market analyses conducted by Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH have therefore flagged that the company needs to adapt its range of gantry robots to match this trend. The new LP 100 gantry robot plugs the gap that previously existed between the LP 20 and LP 200 systems."

This new size of gantry robot is suitable for use in the weight category that includes cylinder heads and gearbox housings as well as alternative drivetrain units, like electric or hybrid engines, fuel cells or components of a similar size. What is new is the option of configuring the gantry to deliver high speed or high load performance. This variability enables more flexibility.

The LP 100 gantry robot operates at the lower end of the LP 200's weight range, where high speed is not required. It is also an option in the upper weight range of the current LP 20, which is not designed for heavy loads at high speeds. Where this has previously been a requirement, the next largest range, the LP 200, with its resultant higher material and manufacturing costs, has been employed. Additional modules like extra axles, grippers, quick-change systems or similar require an increased load capacity. If several of these peripheral equipment modules are required at the same time, the load range of the smaller LP 20 gantry robot is no longer sufficient. The LP 100 now features a type of gantry that meets these requirements. Changing gantry type during the course of a project is no longer necessary.

The design of the gantry robot has been adapted to meet the wide range of modern production process requirements. "The new design enables our customers, for example, to select a wider clearance between uprights," said Thomas Mattern, Head of Automation Systems Development at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH. "Planners thus have extra production line design and installation options."

"Today the inline concept, featuring long travel ways, dominates production lines," said the spokesperson. "Loading gantries handle transportation of workpieces as well as loading and unloading of machines. Conveyor belt systems for the transportation of workpieces are now only required to a lesser extent. Furthermore the number of machines covered by a single loading gantry is increasing in order to increase production capacity at minimized use of automation systems."

"Changes in production line design have an impact on automation - workpieces have to travel longer distances at higher speeds," said Mattern. "The fact that machinery and machining centers are getting faster and faster is also putting pressure on cycle times. We of course factor in these trends when designing and developing our gantries and provide the appropriate solutions, e.g., high-speed versions."

This new specialism (high-load and high-speed versions) is due to be applied to existing gantry models over the next two years. "Liebherr will therefore be able to provide optimum-sized, cost-effective automation solutions for all industries with no limitations on functionality and performance," said the spokesperson.

For more information contact:

Liebherr Automation Systems Co.

1465 Woodland Drive

Saline, MI 48176-1259

734-429-7225

info.lgt@liebherr.com

www.liebherr.us

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